Obituary of Ruth Leon Johnson

Ruth Leon Johnson passed away on Saturday, March 5, 2016 at her home in American Fork, Utah, due to complications from several years of illness. She was surrounded by her five daughters and beloved husband of 65 years, Robert Vernal Johnson. Leon was born August 27th, 1932 in Teasdale, Utah to James Bernard and Nelda Lavern Lyman. She was raised by her mother and her step-father Ronald Ross Mackenzie, “Daddy Ross”, both of whom she loved dearly. Leon spent her early childhood in Teasdale, moving to Salt Lake City, Utah during World War II. Leon and Bob met while she was in high school at South High School and married the fall after graduation, on September 6, 1951 in the Salt Lake Temple. Leon dedicated her life to her husband and children. She was not only a full partner in her marriage but in all of Bob’s business ventures. She spent more than a few nights working at his side preparing for a store opening. She had complete confidence in Bob’s abilities and was his unfailing support throughout his career. As a devoted mother, Leon taught her daughters the art of creating a happy home, instilling within each of them her strong testimony of Jesus Christ. She enjoyed traveling with her family, but nowhere more than Lake Powell and Bear Lake. Leon was active in the LDS church, she touched the lives of many as she served in various callings throughout her life. She and Bob served two full-time missions at the St. George Temple Visitors Center and Historical Sites and the Salt Lake Temple Square Mission, and one church service mission at LDS Employment Services. The legacy that she leaves to all who know and love her is her unfailing love of Jesus Christ and her family. She is survived by her loving husband Robert, and her sisters Velma Blake and Berni Wunderli; her five daughters Janet (Kent) Mendenhall, Perri (Ron) Ebert, Shelley (Lloyd) Barker, Lori (Warren) Kirk, and Randi (Berto) Dunn; 24 grandchildren, and 47 great grandchildren for a total of 100 members of her family. She is preceded in death by her parents, and great-granddaughter Emmaline Ruth Barker. The funeral services will be held Saturday March 12, 2016 11:00 am, with a viewing beforehand from 9:45-10:45 at the American Fork North 19th Ward Chapel on 1305 North 100 East in American Fork, Utah. The viewing will be held Friday, March 11th, 2016 from 6:00-7:30 at Anderson & Sons Mortuary, 6141 West 11000 North (Timpanogos Highway), Highland, Utah. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the LDS Church Missionary Fund.